Harry
Trailer rules come under EU 1/2005 enacted into UK legislation by the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2006 (different versons for Scotland, England and Wales, but in essence all three inplement the same EU regs)
The following table is from Defra, but covers the rules for all three countries, it is nice and pretty as a table, but doesn't post well into AS. if you want a copy looking pretty (or anyone else does) email oaklandspigs@btinternet.com, and I'll happliy email you a copy (it is adobe).
PART 1 - VEHICLES and TRAILERS
Item
Article 3 & Annex I
Reg. 1/2005 requirements
Guidance for Construction
General
Article 3
No person shall transport animals or cause animals to be transported in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to them.
General ‘animal welfare protection’ provision which also requires use of a suitable means of transport and loading and unloading facilities, and giving animals sufficient floor area and headroom.
Design Construction Maintenance
Article 3 (c) Ch.II 1.1 (a)
Designed, constructed, maintained and operated so as to avoid injury and suffering and ensure the safety of the animals.
Design to high standards using suitable materials and methods appropriate for the species and size of animals. Maintain in good structural and mechanical condition.
Strength
Ch.II 1.1 (d)
Withstand stress of movements.
Floors, sides, partitions if any, roof, and fittings must be of sufficient strength to ‘contain’ the animals to be carried, and to withstand load/unload, transport, and handling stresses.
Safety
Ch.II 1.1 (a) Ch.II 1.1 (d) Ch.III 1.4 (b)
Ensure safety of animals. Prevent escape or falling. Barriers to prevent falling when loading/unloading.
Free of sharp edges, projections and gaps which could cause injury to animals. Secure and escape-proof animal compartment. Barriers to prevent falling when load-door is open.
Access
Ch.II 1.1 (f)
To animals for inspection and care.
Ability to see each animal when vehicle is stationary, and to provide appropriate care to it.
Roof
Ch.II 1.1 (b)
Protect from inclement weather, extreme temperatures, adverse changes in climatic conditions.
A solid roof, as such, is not specified but is considered advisable to protect animals against any adverse weather which might be encountered.
Floor
Ch.II 1.1 (g) Ch.II 1.1 (h)
Anti-slip. Minimise leakage of urine and faeces.
Strong enough for weight of animals, and free of ‘dangers’ obstructions etc.. Anti-slip provision appropriate to species. Minimise leakage does not mean that the floor has to be ‘watertight’.
Sides / Ends
Ch.II 1.1(b)
Protect from inclement weather, extreme temperatures, adverse changes in climatic conditions.
Sufficiently enclosed to provide protection from the weather, and to prevent escape. Strong enough for the weight of the animals.
Partitions
Ch.II 1.4
Strong enough to withstand weight of animals. Fittings designed for quick and easy operation.
Partitions of sufficient height, depth and strength may be necessary to separate individual or groups of animals. Partition design should not prevent adequate airflow and ventilation through the vehicle.
Size / space / internal height
Article 3 (g) Ch.II 1.2
Sufficient floor area and height appropriate for animals and journey. Enough height for adequate ventilation above animals standing naturally, without hindering their natural movement.
Floor area – ‘Space allowances’ are not specified for ‘other species’. It is recognised that some species (e.g. rabbits, some birds etc. ) do not need height to stand erect during transport. But there must be sufficient space above the animals for airflow.
Ventilation
Ch.II 1.1 (e) Ch.III 2.6
Maintain appropriate air quality and quantity. Provide sufficient ventilation for number of animals and weather.
Sufficient ventilation for ‘worst case’ situation - e.g. when vehicle is stationary in hot weather. Ventilation rate may need to be varied according to climate. Ability to provide alternative emergency ventilation for any system which is totally reliant on fans.
Load/unload facilities
Ch.II 2.2 Ch.III 1.3 (a) Ch.III 1.4 (b)
Carry suitable equipment to load and unload animals. Non-slip surfaces. Safety barriers.
Any equipment used must be suitable for the purpose. It is recognised that special equipment or manual loading/unloading may be used for animals, particularly those in containers, and that this may only be available at the places of departure and destination. In some instances it may be appropriate to lift animals by hand.
Lighting
Ch.II 1.1 (i) Ch.III 1.6
For inspection and care during transport. During loading and unloading.
Portable lighting may be sufficient for inspection during transport. Lighting for loading and unloading need not be fitted to the vehicle, but must be provided during these operations.
Notice
Ch.II 2.1 Ch.II 1.3 (a)
Vehicle clearly and visibly marked to indicate the presence of live animals. Where appropriate notice to denote ‘wild’ ‘timid’ or ‘dangerous’.
Vehicle is not required to be marked when carrying animals in containers, but the containers must be marked to indicate the presence of live animals.
C & D
Ch.II 1.1 (c) Ch.III 1.3 (b)
Vehicle, equipment and load/unload facilities - able to be cleaned & disinfected.
Animal Health Rules may require cleansing and/or disinfection prior to loading animals, and after unloading them.
RO-RO use
Ch.II 3.2
Fitted with sufficient and adequate securing points. Vehicle must be secured to vessel to prevent displacement.
Only required if vehicle is to be carried on a RO-RO vessel. Securing points must be of adequate strength and suitable design to accept ship’s equipment.
You also asked about ramp angles
The rules state that the slope angle must be less than 20 degrees or 36.4% for pigs If the slope is more than 10 degrees (17.6%), additionally you must provide a “system, such as provided by foot battens, which ensure that the animals climb or go down without risks or difficulties” . We use a rubber “horse mat” which provides excellent grip, and can be whisked away once the pigs are in the trailer.
However vehicles and trailers “built and in use before 5 January 2007, which comply with ramp angle requirements set out in the previous legislation, may continue to be used within the UK until 4 January 2012, if it is impractical or uneconomic to convert or alter to comply”. The previous legislation set out a ramp not steeper than 29 degrees 44 minutes or 57%, but a recommendation that the slope was less than 25 degrees.
To calculate the ramp angle, - this is easiest done in cm. Park you trailer on level ground and make two measurements. The first is the height from the top of the ramp (when open) vertically to the ground (ie at the trailer end). The second is from where the first measurement hit the ground (below the trailer end), along the ground to where the end of the tailgate meets the ground this is then the ground length.
Then divide the height by the ground length and multiply by 100. For a trailer with a ramp open where the top of the ramp is 30cm above the ground, and the length along the ground is 95.39cm, this would look like
= 30/95.39x100 = 31.44%, . The slope of the ramp must be less than 20 degrees or 36.4%, so this trailer is legal for pigs.
If you haven't got level gorund, then measure the height as before, and then the length of the tailgate itself. Then take [squareroot of ((tailgate length squared)-(Tailgate height squared))], which gives you ground length, and then calculate as above.
All much easier done with the diagram in our book !!
Topic: livestock trailer (Read 3510 times)
